Children in disastersAn estimated 77 million children under 15, on average, had their lives disrupted by a natural disaster or an armed conflict, each year, between 1991 and 2000.
Millions of children were made homeless, lost loved ones, received injuries, witnessed or experienced violence and suffered scarring psychological traumas. Over the same period, an estimated 115,000 children under 15 were killed each year by armed conflict and natural disasters. These numbers are conservative estimates, as children generally make up the largest segment of populations affected by disasters.
For thousands of children in developing countries, daily life is infused with the fear of war, or earthquakes or floods.
Plan launches a report which takes a look at addressing disasters through long-term development in countries beset by natural and man-made disasters. The report is motivated by the realisation that, given the extent of Plan's operations in 45 developing countries worldwide, disaster is likely to strike somewhere on a regular basis. Plan's experience of working with children throughout the developing world indicates that children have much to offer, much more than adults expect.
In the report Plan sets some recommendations for organisations involved in disaster situations to help ensure children's rights are met during the emergency and beyond.
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